Grandmaster Ah Po's 3^rd Annual Fall Training in Pittsburgh

Submitted by Master Gene Garbowsky - 5th Dan
South Hills Karate Academy
 

Pittsburgh, PA, October 16^th through October 17^th – Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, traveled to Pittsburgh to conduct his annual Fall Training Sessions for senior members of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association along with students of South Hills Karate Academy.  As with Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po’s past events in Pittsburgh he was accompanied Sa Bom Nim Stephen Propst, 7^th Dan from Yuba City, California.

This year marked a special year for Master Gene Garbowsky, head instructor of South Hills Karate Academy, since not only did Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po conduct three special training sessions, but this year he conducted South Hills Karate Academy’s 2^nd Dan Classing Examination.  In addition to Sa Bom Nim Stephen Propst and Sa Bom Nim Gene Garbowsky, other Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association Masters and Instructors also made the trip to Pittsburgh.  This included Sa Bom Nim John Ennis from the United Tang Soo Do Alliance, Sa Bom Nim Constantino Terrigno, from Two Dragons Tang Soo Do, Master Kevin Watson, 7^th Dan Shito-Ryu Karate-do and traveling all the way from England were Master John Dove, 5^th Dan Tang Soo Do and Masters Adam and Simon Preston.  Master Dove and Masters Simon and Adam Preston are members of the British Tang Soo Do Federation.

Friday evening, all of the visiting Ko Dan Ja, Master Garbowsky and the Gup students of South Hills Karate Academy received first hand instruction on the Sam Soo Shik Deh Ryun techniques that are unique to Grandmaster Ah Po and the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association.  Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po emphasized that the Sam Soo Shik Deh Ryun contained in his Tang Soo Do Martial Way curriculum provide a bridge between Ill Soo Shik Deh Ryun and Ja Yu Deh Ryun (free sparring).

Saturday morning October 16^th, South Hills Karate Academy held its 2^nd Dan Classing Examination.  Twelve students from South Hills Karate Academy tested for Cho Dan and two for Ee Dan in front of the watchful eyes of Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po and Sa Bom Nim Propst.  Cho-Dan Candidates included; Eric Garbowsky, Karen Garbowsky, Cody Vickless, Denny Pruni, Dylan Pruni, Brian Maxwell, Eric Irson, Rachel Diffendal, Dan Wilson, David Hafer, Jeff Weir and Cody Durney.  Ee-Dan Candidates included; Mrs. Christie Wilson and Mr. Chuck Durney.

Grandmaster Ah Po presents O-Dan rank to Sa Bom Nim Terrigno

Saturday also saw Sa Bom Nim Constantino Terrigno complete his testing for O-Dan in front of Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po. Master Terrigno performed Seisan Hyung in an incredible fashion.  He also demonstrated unique Ill Soo Shik Deh Ryun and Tando (knife) self-defense techniques. Master Adam Preston from the British Tang Soo Do Federation assisted Master Terrigno during his demonstration.

That same evening Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po instructed a Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja training session on the Traditional Hyung of Tang Soo Do.  Kwan Jang Nim concentrated on the use of Ho Hup and timing within the Hyung.  Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po was careful to point out the techniques in the Traditional Hyung that are unique to the Tang Soo Do system and the variations that are uniquely Soo Bahk Ki techniques.  Additionally, what made this opportunity unique was the fact that all of South Hill’s Karate Academy Dan Candidates were given an opportunity to witness the performance of the Traditional Hyung by the Ko Dan Ja in attendance.

The weekend ended with South Hills Karate Academy’s Annual Banquet.  There were over 70 attendees from South Hills Karate Academy along with other distinguished guests. It was at this time Sa Bom Nim Terrigno, a direct student of Grandmaster Ah Po was made aware of his promotion to O-Dan.  Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po presented him with his rank certificate at the conclusion of the evening.  Congratulations to Master Terrigno!

South Hills Karate Academy’s 2^nd Dan Classing Candidates

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